Bhakti as a Pathway to Existential and Psychological Well-Being: An Integrative Indian Psychological Framework

Abstract

Bhakti, commonly understood as a path of loving devotion toward the Divine, occupies a central position within Indian philosophical, spiritual, and psychological traditions. Despite its significance in classical Indian thought, Bhakti remains underrepresented in contemporary psychological models of well-being. The present theoretical review examines Bhakti as a culturally grounded psychospiritual process that may contribute to both existential and psychological well-being. Drawing upon classical Indian sources, particularly the Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Narada Bhakti Sutra, as well as scholarship from Indian psychology, positive psychology, existential psychology, and the psychology of religion, the review explores the psychological mechanisms through which devotional engagement may promote human flourishing. The analysis suggests that Bhakti facilitates emotional regulation, resilience, compassion, gratitude, meaningmaking, purpose in life, and self-transcendence while fostering a deeper sense of connectedness with the self, others, and a transcendent reality. These processes appear to enhance existential well-being by promoting meaning, coherence, fulfillment, and inner peace, which subsequently support broader dimensions of psychological well-being, including self-acceptance, personal growth, autonomy, environmental mastery, positive relationships, and purpose in life. Based on the literature reviewed, an Integrative Indian Psychological Framework is proposed in which Bhakti serves as a foundational psychospiritual process that promotes meaning-making and self-transcendence, thereby enhancing existential well-being and ultimately contributing to psychological well-being. By integrating indigenous Indian psychological concepts with contemporary theories of well-being, the proposed framework offers a culturally inclusive perspective on human flourishing and provides a foundation for future empirical research, theory development, and culturally sensitive well-being interventions.